HPCA Stadium at Dharmshala is hosting three IPL Matches this year (2011) - Are you ready to enjoy Cricket at one of the most pleasant place surrounded by snow covered hills of Dhaulahar Mountain Ranges?

Although I am not a big fan of cricket but recently I have been following few activities around Dharmshala Cricket Stadium and this year 3 IPL matches are going be played on this stadium. It's a big this for HPCA, Dharmshala residents and I think for all the Himachalis !!! Three IPL Matches are on 15th May 2011, 17th May 2011 and 21st May 2011...

Here is a pnoramic view of Dharmshala Cricket Stadium !!! surrounded by snow covered Dhauladhar mountain ranges and cool winds make it special in the month of May when we can't imagine to sit in Firoz Shah Kotla @ 45 degree !!

Anurag Thakur, President HPCA who has contributed a lot towards this particular Stadium and trying to make that international cricket also take place at Dharmshala Cricket Stadium !!!

"The preparations are in full swing to hold the three matches later this month and an investment of over Rs. 100 crore has been made on the stadium, luxurious residential complex and the Pavilion," Thakur said, adding that he was confident that everything would be smooth.

Mr. Anurag Thakur, President HPCA, said that certainly there was problem of good hotel accommodation as VVIPs and celebrities like Mukesh Ambani, film stars, leading cricketers have expressed their desire to come to Dharamsala for IPL matches. Most of the star hotels in Dharamsala, Palampur and adjoining areas have been booked and accommodating more guests in this region is a difficult task.

"Since players and their sponsors travel by chartered flights, direct connectivity with major cities was a pre -requisite and as such efforts are being made to persuade the Union Civil Aviation ministry for expansion of Kangra Airport," he added.

Here are the VVIP Lounges which we see in Television where most of the important folks sit and enjoy the matches. These Lounges are air conditioned but who needs AC in Dharmshala !!!

When I looked at these lounges, these looked like some casino of Las Vegas !!!

President of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), Anurag Thakur said that Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will be in the stadium to kick-off the IPL matches on May 15. Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama has been invited to be chief guest on May 17. Governor Urmila Singh along with Chief minister Dhumal have been invited for the last day of the events.

A 72-room hotel – The Pavilion, built by HPCA is ready to accommodate the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Deccan Chargers. Kings XI Punjab will be lodged at Club Mahindra and the Delhi Daredevils will stay at Surya hotel, McLeodganj.

Since when the news about IPL Matches in Dharmshala ha reached to Cricket fans, they immediately booked the hotels and made appropriate travel arrangements !!! Dharmshala is not yet equipped to accommodate the desired number of Cricket fans who plan to watch the cricket Patches on this wonderful ground !!! Check out a relevant story on TOI